Friday, April 21, 2017

Significant epilepsy gene discovery in dogs

For the first time scientist have now been able to identify a gene that may be a major contribution to epilepsy in canines. The DIRAS1 gene is affects developing canines and arise myoclonic seizures at a young age. This is vital because of the similarities myoclinic seizures in canines and in human juveniles. Thus this study can help not only give insight in epilepsy in humans and other species especially since the genetic background for this condition is limited. With identifying the gene there can now  determine  some sort of pathophysiology mechanism that can be used for treatment in the near future for canines and possibly people.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170221110730.htm

http://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1002194

2 comments:

  1. This is a very beneficial and interesting discovery. Hopefully further research will find a treatment for dogs and then people. The treatment would help many people.

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  2. This is a great discovery, I used to have a dog who had seizures when she was about 1 and we weren't sure if it was something she ate or if it was because she had developed epilepsy. I know some breeds are predisposed to developing epilepsy so it would definitely be beneficial to find a treatment for those specific breeds so people aren't afraid to get them and have to worry about their health.

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